Bottle closure



C. J. SCHUSTER :BO'iTLE CLOSURE Filed y 1925 INVENTOR.

J: h wter ATTORNEYS Patented May 31,1927.

UNITED ,srAr s 1,630,805 PATIENT oFFI cam; J. scnu'srnn, or mana e, Wisconsin.

BOTTLE cLosUiaE.

Application filed May a,

-The present invention-relates to improvements in caps of that type-which are adapted to be used as closures in connection with milk bottles 0r other wide mouthed containers, and among the objects of the invention is to-provide a cap of this character; which embodies novel features of construction, whereby it can be inexpensively molded from paper pulp or the likemand has a thicker and more elastic body formation than can be obtained in bottle caps which are constructed by shaping. or forming a sheet of cardboard or like material.

Further objects of theinvention are to provide a bottle cap of this characterwhich will securely close the bottle, which has a flange extending'over the top of the bottle to prevent contamination of the surface over which the contents of the bottle flow when poured'fromthe bottle, which has asmooth outer surface free from depressions in which I dirt and foreign matter may collect, which scription will notwarp or lose its shape, which has greater strengththan a thin paste board cap 1 and which can be used in the standard automatic capping machines.

Several difierentembodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail for illustrative-purposes, although it will be understood that'many modifications and changes can be made in the details of construction without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope ofthe appended claims. I I,

For a full understanding of the invention reference is to be had to the followingdeand accompanying drawings, in which, I

Figure lis a bottom plan viewof a bottle cap which is constructed in accordance with the invention. I Y Figure 2 is a sectional view through the bottle cap ShOWn by Figure 1.

Figure 3-is a View similar to showing a modified form of the invention.

Figure 4 is a similarview showin'g a still further modification of theinvention.

Figure 5 is a sectional view through a bot tle neck, showing the-cap of Figured applied thereto. I

Figure 6 is a' view similar to Figure 5 showing the cap with the lower lip or flange. thereof as it is bent upwardly and compressed during the act of applying the bottle cap in position. v

Figure 7 is afragmentary sectional View Figure 2,

1925. semi no. 28,825;

through afportionof a bottle neck having a. cap constructed as shown by Figures '1 and 2 applied thereto.

Figure 8 is a similar View showingfafcapi constructed as shown by Figure 3.

Figure 9 is a fragmentarysectional view of a cap similar to that "shown by Figures 1 and 2, but provided at the periphery" thereof with an extended and downwardly curved flange adapted to fit partially around} the exterior lip of the-bottle mouth'wheirf the cap is in position.

Figure 10' is a similar view showing modification in which a cap constructed as shown-by'Figure 3 is provided with-an e'n larged and downwardly curved marginal" Figure 11 is a constructed in general as" shown by Figure 4, being provided with a hollowbody por similar View showing a ca'p',

tion and an enlarged and downwardlycurved marginal flange. I

Flgure 12 is a fragmentary sectional View through a portion of a bottle neck which/is 3'80 formed without an interior bead and has cap such as that shown by Fig. "4: appliedl thereto, the lip of the cap being deflected" upwardly and crowded against the walls of the bottleneck when the cap is finallyseated i'n positlo'n; i

Corresponding and like partsare referred to in the following description and indicated j drawingsjby like on all of the views ofthe reference characters.

plastic material such as paper pulp, and'in; this respect is essentially different from the conventional bottle caps which are formed' by bending and shaping sheet material such as cardboard. In'all of the figures :of the drawingthe reference character A designates the body portion of the cap which is adapted to enter the mouth of the bottle and expand'into a tight engagement therewith, and

B a marginal flange whichextends around the top of the body portion and is adapted to project over the normally exposed top or upper edge of the bottle neck and preventf contamination of this portion of the bottle which is usually exposed and over which the contents of the bottle'must flow when theyare pouredfrom the bottle. The body portion is comparatively thick so that it not only provides aftight andsubstantialclosure for the bottle, but 'rendersjitim ossible for the bottle cap to become warpe or lose its shape. The top or upper surface of the bottle cap is smooth and free from any indentations or pockets in which dirt and-forei n matter might collect.

n the form of the invention shown by Figures 1 and 2 the periphery of the body portion flares downwardly, the marginal or edge portion bing 'tapered, as indicated at 1, and terminating in a lip .2. The ca: 1s intended to be applied to a bottle neck of the general type illustrated by Figures 5 to 8 inclusive.

The bottle neck is provided at thei'mouth thereof with an interior contract ed bead 3 and with an exterior enlargement .4. .A'bottle neck of this general type'is preferable because there are no sharp corners or pockets in which dirt and filth may collect and which are diflicult to clean properly.-

When the bottle cap of Figures 1 an .2 is

I applied to a bottle the annular lip 2 thereof first curl s upwardly as the cap is pressed downwahdly into position and finally expands downwardly. under the interior head 3 of the bottle neck, as indicated by Figure 7. The marginal flange B then extends over the .top of the mouth of the bottle and is held in a firm engagement therewith. The peripheral ,walls of the body portion A are then slightly indented by and in a tight engagement with the interior bead 3 of the bottle, while the lip 2 is in an expansive engagement with the lower portion of the head 3.

modification is shown by Figure 3, in

5 "which the body portion A of the cap has cylindrical edge walls 5 and an annular flange or lip 6 at the lower edge of the cylindrical portion5. When this bottle cap is forced into position the lower lip or flange 6 1s first bent upwardly until it passes beyond the interior head 3 of the bottle neck, whereupon it expands downwardly and outwardly, as indicated. by Figure 8. The top marginal flange B of the ca is then fitted on the top of the bottle nec and the cylindrical edge walls 5 of the cap are indented and engaged by the interior bead 3 of the bottle, while the hp 6 is in an expansive en agement with the interior of the bottle nec below the head 3.

Another modification is shown by Figure 4,; in which the body portion A of the cap and expands downwardly and outwardly below the same, as indicated by Figure 5. The rounded exterior wall of the annular rib 7 is then indented by andheld in a firm and tight engagement with the head 3 so that it cooperates with the lip 8- to provi e a secure and tight closure for the bottle. The expansive action of the lip 8 also tends to seat the cap upon the bottle neck and hold the top flange B thereof firmly against the top of the bottle.

The modified form of the invention which is shown by Figure 9 is identical with that shown by Figure 2, with the exception that the top marginal flange B is formed with a downwardly curved extension 9. This endesire d to'provide a cap which will extend over and cover not only the top of the bottle mouth but also a portion of the rounded enlargement at the exteriorthereof.

In a similar manner the modification shown by Figure 10 is identical with the form larged extension may be used when it is illustrated by Figure 3, with the exception that the top marginal flange B has an extension 9 whichis curved downwardly. This form of the invention may be used where it is desired to cover a larger portion of the normally exposed area at the mouth of the a bottle.

The modification shown by Figure 11 has a body portion which is constructed similar to that of Figure 4, although the central portion thereof is hollowed out on the under-side, as indicated at 10, such a construction being possible in some instances where it is desired to save material. This modification also shows the top marginal flange B as formed with an extension 9 which is curved downwardly and serves the same function as in the constructions of Figures 9 and 10.

The cap may be used upon a bottle neck which is formed without an interior bead 3, a fragmentary portion of such a bottle neck being shown at C on Figure 12. When the cap is forced into position the lip 8 is defiected upwardly and caused to crowd tightly against the interior of the bottle neck, and the li retains this position when the cap is finally seated. for the reason that there is no interior bead with a clearance space below the same to provide for the expansion ofrthe lip after it has been forced downwardly below the bead. With a bottle neck having straight interior walls, as shown by Figure 12', the lip 8 will bedeflected upwardly and compressed inwardly so as to be crowded against the interior walls of the neck when the ,cap is finally seated in position. The annular rib 7 of the cap will also be crowded tightly againstthe bottle neck and the combined action of the rib 7 and lip 8-will insure a tight sealing of the bottle. As previously stated, it is intended that position,

1,630,806 I Y a;

the bottle cap shall be molded from paper Eul or similar plastic material, and the 0 y portion is thereby made thicker and stronger than would be possible in a bottle cap which is 'formedby bending and shaping paper or cardboard. The cap is thereby given a substantial body portion which will I not warp or lose its shape, which has sufiicient resiliency to expand into a tight en: gagement with the mouth of the bottle and accommodate itself to any little irregularities in the shape of the bottle mouth. The wide peripheral edge of the comparatively thick molded bottle cap is adapted to be tightly compressed against the interior of the bottle neck when the cap is placed in the annular lip at the bottom of the cap having at the same time an expansivc engagement with the interior of the bottle neck. The invention also provides a bottle cap which can be handled successfully in the conventional bottle capping machines and which can accordingly be applied to the I bottles with great'rapidity.

' having a wide peripheral edge,

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,

1. A one piece bottle cap formed from paper pulp and comprising a comparatively thick and substantially cylindrical body portion having a wide peripheral edge, said body portion being provided with an integral annular lip projecting outwardly from the bottom portion thereof, said lip being flexible and being adapted to be flexed upwardly between the interior of the bottle neck and peripheral edge of the body portion when the cap is forced in position.

' 2. A one piece bottle cap formed of paper pulp {and comprising a comparatively and substantially cylindrical body portion the top of the body portion being formed with a marginal flange adapted to extend over the top of the bottle, while the bottom of the body thick pulp and comprising a substantially cylindrical body portion adapted to enter the mouth of the bottle and formed with an annular rib, and an annular lip which is arranged below the rib, the rib being adapted to be compressed against the interior of the bottle neck while the lip is flexible and is adapted to maintaln an expansive engagement with the interior of the bottle neck.-

4. A one piece bottle cap molded from pulp and comprising a substantially cylindrical body portion adapted to enter the mouth of the bottle and provided at the top'thereof with a marginal flange adapted to extend over the top of the bottle neck, said body portion being formed with an annular rib and also with an annular lip, the rib being adapted to be compressed against the interior of the bottle neck while the lip is flexible and maintains an expansive engagement with the same.

5. A one piece bottle cap pulp and comprising a substantially cylindrical body portion adapted to enter the mouth of the bottle and formed with an annular rib and an annular lip, the rib being adapted to be compressed against the interior of the bottle neck, while the lip is flexible and maintains an expansive engagement therewith, the top of the body portion being formed with a marginal flange which is adapted to extend over the top of the bottle and terminates in a downwardly curved extension adapted to fit around the exterior of the bottle.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

CARL J. SCHUSTER.

molded from v 

